Debian, Gentoo on Atheros A242x

camphor · 03-01-2009, 12:18 AM

Hello, I'm looking for the right driver to use for my internal Atheros AR242x card in the install CDs of Debian 5 or Gentoo 2008 for a second Linux partition on my notebook (my main is Arch). I've loaded modules that looked to be fitting, but haven't had any luck as neither install CDs (any Debian media and Gentoo minimal) include the madwifi drivers I usually use. Here's its output in lspci if it's any help:

Code:

07:00.0 Ethernet controller: Atheros Communications Inc. AR242x 802.11abg Wireless PCI Express Adapter (rev 01)

Oddly, both of the install disks' lspci outputs correctly identify the card, but I'm at a loss for which module (if there is any) I could use. ath_pci and ath5k don't seem to be available in either of them. I do not have access to a direct ethernet connection.

Thank you!

serafean · 03-01-2009, 09:01 AM

Hi, this should explain at least something... If I remember correctly, the 2008 cd uses a 2.6.24 kernel, and tries to be completely free -> no proprietary drivers. The same with Debian (not sure which kernel it uses though). Gentoo changed the release system recently : install cds are spinned automatically, so just download a recent autobuild from the releases/amd64/autobuilds/ directory of any gentoo mirror.

camphor · 03-01-2009, 10:23 PM

Ah, sorry, I had forgotten that madwifi included some proprietary code. I was able to modprobe the mac80211 suggested by your link. Sadly, the Gentoo minimal 2009.26.02 image didn't include ath5k or ath_pci either, so I guess I'll just have to wait until I can find a proper ethernet setup.

serafean · 03-02-2009, 04:10 AM

thats strange, the 2.6.27 kernel has been stable for quite some time, and according to the wiki, the driver should be included... However, nothing is stopping you from downloading the sources (madwifi or ath5k) and try compiling them mnually (Gentoo icludes a compiler).
Another thing is that, in order to get a Gentoo basic installation, all you need is the Stage3 and portage-latest files, the kernel sources, GRUB sources (+gentoo patches), and wireless_tools then you can get a basic install with a recent kernel that does include ath5k... All these files are available from any gentoo mirror.

enyawix · 04-12-2009, 01:45 AM

looking around the net it looks like this hard ware is a real problem child

enyawix · 04-12-2009, 02:30 PM

I someone posted a fix

http://www.drewwithers.com/content/d...ite-a215-s4747